After my college graduation I suddenly had a whole lot of free time and I didn't quite know what to do with myself. That's when I discovered the Public Library. Since then I've been reading non-stop. Some books have been good, some books great, and others ... I'm ashamed to admit that I read them at all. But alas, I have thoughts about every book I read and thus Brooke's Book Reviews was created.

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Princess of Glass

by Jessica Day George

Dedication: "For my own Princess, who danced before she could crawl"

First paragraph: "'Perfect," the Corlet said, lips stretched wide in a smile. She took a shallow pan of molten glass and set it in the air over her head. "Yes, everything is perfect this time."

Review: After her brother-in-law Galin defeats the evil Lord Understone in Princess of the Midnight Ball. Princess Poppy, one of the twelve dancing princesses, has done her share of dancing and vows that she'll never do it again. This makes participating in the Royal exchange program a bit uncomfortable at times. Luckily, Princess Poppy finds a way to pass the time and she becomes close friends with another visiting prince.

Things seem to be looking up for Poppy until the hapless maid, Ellen, starts showing up at balls wearing elaborate gowns, adorned in the most expensive jewels. Poppy knows firsthand the price of making bargains with creatures not of this world and she fears Ellen, and possibly all of Breton is about to pay the price.

George had me hooked with her last book. I love a good re-telling of a classic children tale. She put a great spin on The Twelve Dancing princess in her last book and she adds a whole new perspective to this retelling of Cinderella.

Poppy is the perfect Princess to face The Corley and Poppy's strong-willed nature and stark contrast to most young ladies obviously sets her apart. I love a good heroine and Poppy fits the bill quite well. She has her weaknesses but they aren't condemning. I especially love that she isn't fawning over the prince. He's cute. She enjoys his company. But it isn't constant love-sickness and jealousy.

As for the rest of the story. I really enjoyed the twists. Since it is a re-telling of Cinderella you sort of know how it all will end. Unfortunately, I think the ending was the weakest part. It needed more description, more character. I found it lacking something that the rest of the story had. To me it felt forced, like George wrote 15/16th's of the book then hit a metaphorical wall and just wrote something to appease the publishers.

Despite my complaint, I definitely still enjoyed the book. It was an easy read, it kept me turning the page, the characters were fun to read about, and their conflict was exciting. Another thing I found amusing about this book is that George adds at the end the instructions on how to knit a few of the important 'charms' used to break the enchantments.

If you're a knitter it might be fun for you to read the book then knit a few of the things after the fact. If you aren't a knitter, but enjoy a fairy-tale or two you should go pick up a copy of, The Princess of the Midnight Ball then immediately set that one down and pick this one up. You won't be disappointed. (Until maybe the end).